The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-16
WASHINGTON HosTEssEs.
Social Ways of Eminent Ladies at the
Capital.
From the Ne,0 York Sun.

Each succeeding year brings a greater
number of prominent people to Washing
ton who either build, lease, or rent houses,
and do their best to outshine each other in
the social world. Washington society is a
strange mixture. composed of many circles,
and circles within circles, all revolving
around one centre point The increase
within late years of rich people making
Washington their winter residence has
widened the circles to a great extent, and at
the same time contracted the smaller ones
and these seem to go on slowly in their own
course, unmindful of the noise and hustle
made by the newcomers.
The smaller circles are composed of the
old residents of Washington, who are ex-
elusive, and very particular as to whom
they admit. The greater circles are the
official, and what might be called the legis-
lative.
A certain programme is laid down for
society at the White House, and it seldom
varies. 1t consists of official receptions
state dinners, and few private-at-homes
by the lady of the White House. The
Senator'S and Representatives wives all
have their days for receiving. Added to
these are the receptions of prominent peo-
pie; and one who wishes to follow the gave
ties of Washington will have his hands full
and very little spare time if he attempts to
keep up with the life. In such large body
as Congress there are many very rich mem
bers whose wives take the greatest delight
in shining in this social world, and whose
receptions have become noted all over the
country. Others have to entertain on ac-
count of their official position; but the ma
jority are willing to live in ordinary apart
ments and merely participate in the gave
ties.
The home life of Mrs Cleveland who is
naturally at the head of the social world is
very lovely and worthy of imitation. She
is remarkable woman for one of her age,
and the most vigorous of her critics have
failed up to this time, after the most severe
tests, to be able to pick a flaw or discover
any discrepancy in her acts. One of the de-
lights of Mrs. Cleveland's life has been her
residence at Oak View. Together with
her mother she has made it perfect bower
of beauty and home comfort. Nothing
pleases the President more, after a days
work, than to go driving over the country
roads to the little house on the hillside.
In the country house Mrs. Cleveland her
self superintends all the arrangements, and
a word to the servants from her is enough
to make them do their utmost to please her
One would hardly think that in the contin-
ual round of official duties, where recep-
tions and visits sfollow closely on one an
other, that she would have any time for
housekeeping at the White House, but, like
a child with new toy she seems to be es-
pecially fond of directing and superintend-
ing personally all the little matters which
old housekeepers find great relief in turn
ing over to some one else. Mrs. Cleveland
even goes into the kitchen, and it is said
that were she obliged to make the President
his coffee, or cook him pie, the dish she
would serve up would be as palatable and
as inviting in looks as any chef could
serve.
Oftentimes in the morning she will don a
long calico apron and wander about the
house. busting and cleaning the apartments,
following the servants to see that no dirt is
left in the corners or dust remains upon the
furniture. All this charms the President,
who, although business-lke and full of work
at all times, delights in surprising his wife
when she is in her workaday costume, and
it is said he likes her in this dress much bet
ter than in the evening costume she is so
often obliged to wear.
Mrs. Whitney leads the Cabinet ladies in
the gorgeousness of her receptions and the
vastness of her hospitality. Her enter
tainments are models and have quite
eclipsed anything yet given at Washington
She has a rich brother who supplies her
with many thousands of dollars as pin
money just for entertainments, and it is one
of her greatest delights to shine in the So
cial world
Mrs. Manning, when her husband was in
the Cabinet, had beautiful house and was
acharming hostess Mrs Faircnld, as vet
has not appeared in the social world to any
great extent; but this winter she has taken
a large house in a fashionable quarter and
intends to entertain on a grand scale. Mrs
Endicott is very select in her entertain
ments, while Mrs. Villas, who is a sweet and
charming lady, has won a host of friends in
this city by the delightful manner in which
she receives her friends. The mourning in
the house of the Secretary of State has
closed the doors of that mansion to the pub
lie, but there is no such reason for the dark
ness of Attorney General Garland's residence
during the season, except that he does not
care for entertainments, and his aversion to
dress suits and reception finery has long put
him on the list of non-receivers.
There are very many members of Con-
greSs who cannot afford to rent large houses
and entertain in the lavish manner which
the society of Washington seems to expect.
They have, therefore, preferred to take
apartments at hotels where they can enter
tain as they wish without the great expense
entailed by keeping up large private resi-
dences.
The most prominent of the Alotel livers is
Speaker Carlisle. He has lived at the Riggs
House ever since he has been Speaker and
Is considered one OF the standbyS of the
hotel. He has cosy little apartment on
the third floor of the main house, with a
pretty little parlor where Mrs. Carlisle re-
ceives her friends who call socially.
As the wife of the Speaker of the House
Mrs. Carlisle is obliged to hold many large
receptions, and the hotel parlors are always
at her disposal. On her reception days a
great stream of carriages can always be
seen near the G street entrance to the hotel.
Mrs. Carlisle is a great favorite in society
here, for she is most charming lady, full
Of womanly wisdom and motherly grace.
The Speaker himself is as great favorite
In Congress as his wife is in society. They
live alone because their two SONS are grown
and are in business in Wichita, Kan. The
boys are both prominent lawyers, and by
the help of their father and their own
ability have won themselves a name in
their adopted town.
Mrs. Carlisle usually during the season
has some young lady friends from Ken
lucky staying with her at the hotel She
Us very fond of young ladies' society, and
generally manages to gather about her
young people who are pleasing in manner
and charming in person. Mrs. Carlisle is
quite noted for the pleasant little teas she
gives i'll her apartments, and through the
session those who receive invitations to
IneSe entertainments consider themselves
lucky. The Speaker and Mrs. Carlisle are
much sought after in society," and their card
case is always full of invitations. The
speaker devotes two or three nights in each
week to dinners, and through the session be